Oklahoma Fun Fall Activities in October & November

With autumn fully upon us here at Ryan Lawn & Tree, we start thinking about Friday night football games and college football Saturdays, cider mills, fall festivals, and many other fun fall activities that can be found in the great state of Oklahoma.

We have a few favorite fall activities that our staff especially appreciates this time of year. Here is our ‘short-list’ of our absolute favorites; maybe we’ll see you at one of these upcoming events!

Cordell Pumpkin Fest – October 14

Held at Lee Park in Cordell, this event celebrates the pumpkin – and all the wonderful things that can be done with a pumpkin! This annual event begins at 9am with a delicious and festive pumpkin pancake breakfast, served with pumpkin flavored syrups and other assorted goodies! A pumpkin baking contest is held throughout the day, where visitors can sample the entries and awards and prizes are given for many different varieties of pumpkin delicacies and snacks. Categories this year include the best pumpkin pie, best decorated food item, best pumpkin bread, and best pumpkin cookie!

Pumpkin-related contests are held throughout the day as well, including a costume contest, a pumpkin carving carving extravaganza, and a Halloween costume parade. There is also a pet parade, so bring your dogs to the event. Finally, a Vintage/Collector Car Show is also held during the event, featuring pre-1940s to modern vehicles including muscle cars, street rods, Corvettes, Mustangs, and more.

Poteau Balloon Festival – October 20-21

This annual hot air balloon festival is an absolutely awesome spectacle that you have to see to believe. Even if you’re not a hot air balloon aficionado, or aren’t planning on going for a ride, the sight of the colorful balloons performing each evening for an exciting ‘balloon glow’ is truly breathtaking. Most of the balloons are tethered to the ground during the day, for spectators to see close up, to talk to the operators/pilots, and to rub shoulders with other families who are enjoying the event. During the evening, the balloons perform via burns, flickers, and waves (has to be seen to be believed!). There are also many supporting events for families to enjoy, including great food, beverages, a mud pit race, crafts, and more. This is a must see event at the Leflore County Fairgrounds at 5015 South Broadway in Poteau.

An Affair of the Heart – October 20-22

Like the arts? This event is for you! Held at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds at 3001 General Pershing Boulevard, thousands of exhibitors from across the nation gather to display their works of art and wares, most of which are for sale – making this also a shopping extravaganza! Quality art – much of it reasonably priced – collectibles, antiques, crafts accessories, and gourmet food are also available for purchase. A single ticket price gets you in the door – then let the shopping being. Great food and drink is served to patrons, as well as live music and entertainment for most of the day.

Beavers Bend Folk Festival & Craft Show – November 10-12

This outstanding folk festival and craft show is held each year at Beavers Bend State Park in Broken Bow, Oklahoma. The craft show is worth the trip alone – with 70 artisans and craft aficionados displaying their wares, with an emphasis on turn-of-the-century crafts and demonstrations – including candle making, knife making, quilting, broom making, lye soap making, paper making, and blacksmithing. Folk musicians from around the area and the state provide continuous live entertainment, so that attendees are serenaded with the banjo, the fiddle and the dulcimer. Great food and fun for all who attend – this one is definitely worth the trip!

The staff at Ryan Lawn & Tree hope to see you at these or other fall activities in our great state! Let’s get out there and have some fun!